Monday, January 31, 2011

Hi everyone and thanks for stopping by Just Add Glitter and Stir for the One World One Heart blog extravaganza!

This amazing event is hosted by Lisa of A Whimsical Bohemian as a way to connect bloggers around the world! This is my first and unfortunately last year to participate since Lisa will no longer be running the event but hey, we have this year so let's blog it up! :D OWOH runs from today, January 31st until Thursday, February 17th and I just happen to have a little prize for one lucky blogger! :D

For you first time visitors, I'd like to tell you a little about me and what I like to blog about:

My name is Maggi, lover of craftiness, vintage and blogs, oh my! My husband and I met on Xbox Live playing video games and we're basically a couple of geeky kids.

I'm a stay at home mom to my 2 year old daughter, Toot.

I am currently pregnant with our second daughter (suggestions for nicknames welcome! lol) who will supposedly make her appearance in May.

I never presume to portray myself as the perfect wife, mother, artist - if you see a new project on this blog, chances are my dishes are dirty and I still haven't vacuumed the den. :P

I also enjoy blogging about my favorite things, crafty or no and started writing my Friday Night Fab Five posts where I list 5 things I adore during any particular week. You'll see Toot hanging around here some days and I also make fun of reality TV from time to time. I try to keep my readers entertained and strive to create an easy, fun atmosphere.

I so enjoy blogging and am ever grateful for the friendships it has brought me, the insight I've gotten into other cultures, new ways of doing things and all the recipes I've swiped for my own gluttonous purposes. :P As a thank you for spending some of your time with me today, I want to offer a little gift:

It's a little rainbow complete with clouds that I crocheted using the birdie decoration pattern from Attic24. :D

Here's how to win:

-This giveaway is open to all active bloggers worldwide!

-All you have to do to be entered is leave a comment on this post and make sure that I have a way to contact you. (If your e-mail is not active in your profile or on your blog, please leave it in your comment!)

-The Winner will be announced Feb. 17th here on the blog and I will also contact the winner via e-mail.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

First, I'd like to thank the Academy...wait, no I mean all of you for your kind comments and well wishes for my 2 year blogoversary! Here are all of the winners for my giveaways. If you have won and have not yet heard from me, please e-mail me your mailing address to justaddglitter @ gmail . com ASAP. Thanks!

Yesssssssssssssssssssss! Spartacus is back and since Andy Whitfield was not able to return due to cancer (Screw you, cancer!), Starz was smart enough to give us a season of back story. The first episode was last week and already I can tell that it's going to be twice as violent and dirty as the first season. You can Netflix stream both the whole first season and the current season as episodes are shown...woo hoo!

2. Toot and the iPhone

So this is an older video of Toot from July 2010 where she's playing with my iPhone. I'm showing it here and now because since then she's gotten a lot smarter and I've had to nix Toot and my iPhone playing together. Primarily because one day I went to play Bejeweled Blitz and found that plus Twitter, more games, pictures and about 5 other apps had been deleted from my phone. Toot, noooooooooo! She's so lucky she's cute...

Someone's Twittering clued me in to PBS' Craft in America, a documentary series about...well...Craft in America. :P PBS was also nice enough to offer the episodes online for free. What sweeties! I love and support anything handmade and this series has been wonderful in spotlighting new craft and old traditions.

Take the 1980s, the fact that I was a pre-teen/teen, add in one melodramatic heroine and Gilbert Blythe and you've got me and my best friend dreamily sighing over every aspect of the Anne of Green Gables (and Anne of Avonlea) miniseries (Another PBS masterpiece). I recently watched this series again thanks to Netflix and I still bawled the whole time. *dreamy sigh* I so cannot wait until my girls are old enough to read the books and watch the series.

5. Snow Days

I know most of you have gotten hit by some major snow this year so far and we were lucky to get some as well! It's was Toot's first real walkabout in the white stuff and she loved it.

Well, that's it - my Fab Five for the week! I know a couple of you do a Fab Five of your own from time to time so if this is a week you'd like to share a Five on your blog, why not link up your post on the old Linky here? I'd love to see your favorites so make sure to link directly to your Fab Five post! :)

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Today I'd like to share a tutorial I found, my result from that tutorial and then tomorrow I'll show you how my new technique snowballed into something glittery and full of kick butt-edness.

The tutorial in question is this glitter shoe tutorial posted over at We Are Not Martha. I actually had a pair of abandoned flats just waiting for me to glitter up! Best part is that it looked super easy and relatively cheap to try out. This technique would be perfect for those Halloween costumes, New Year's parties or if you're like me, mopping the kitchen floor.

So this is what I started with:

And this is what I ended up with:

Ooooooo, sparkly! Make sure to visit the link above for the entire process but I will give you a tip: Read the instructions. Ha!

I initially thought I could remember the tutorial so I only read it a couple of times before giving it a shot. (Being the kind of person that says "poo poo" to instruction manuals, lol) So instead of mixing the glitter with the glue, I initially spread the glue on first, then poured the glitter over it. Then after seeing I screwed it up, went back and mixed glue with the glitter and gave it a couple more coats. The result was tons of sparkle with a probably thicker layer than I should have ended up with that took forever to dry. lol

Monday, January 24, 2011

Before I get started I wanted to make you aware of a couple of places where I've guest blogged lately. The first is a post entitled "Organize Your Inspiration" over at Gauche Alchemy and the other is a quick post on why I blog over at Little Red Crafting Corner. Cazhugs is a new blogger who created Little Red Crafting Corner and I would LOVE to see some people visit and leave her some love. Blogging can be tough when you're first starting out so let's show her what a great community we have going here! Thanks!!!

So you're probably aware of the saying, "Pick your battles". This can be applied to any facet of life but being the mother of a two year old, I'm finding that "picking my battles" becomes an hourly thing around here.

Recently I could not, for the LIFE of me, keep Toot out of the dog's water bowl. She saw him drinking out of it and all of a sudden just HAD to start drinking out of it herself. And of course her response to my slow-mo dramatic "Nooooooooo!" was "Mmmmm, goo wa Mama!" (Toot Translation: "Mmmmm, good water you're such a bad mother, why else would I drink from a dog's water bowl, hmmm?")

So after begging and pleading, time outs and varied other methods of discipline had no effect, I decided that this was one battle I just wasn't meant to win. Sometimes as a parent, the path of least resistance is the only path that won't lead to you burning down your house and making a run for Rio.

So a deal was struck (as much as a 2 year old can understand the art of making a deal): if Toot stayed OUT of Lebowski's water bowl, I would in turn provide her with her own water bowl. Believe it or not, this not only was a HUGE success but kept Toot busy for a good 15 minutes at least. SCORE!

Am I ashamed to have my 2 year old drinking water out of a bowl on the floor? Pfffft, please. So far I'm thinking this is the best parenting decision I've ever made.

"Mmmm...goo wa Mama!"

"Goo wa" indeed, my little Toot. Plus, because I am such a wonderful mother, I videotaped her drinking out of said bowl. What? I gotta have something in my blackmail arsenal, right? Muwahahahahaha!

You are welcome to enter any or all of my giveaways this week and this is worldwide so don't be shy! :)

For my last giveaway, how about a custom cupcake scarf for the winner?

That's right, the winner of this giveaway will win a cupcake scarf in their choice of colors (one for the frosting, one for the cake) and I'll whip it up for them personally. :) The cupcake scarf is based on the pattern from Twinkie Chan's book.

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this post by Midnight on Friday, January 28th. All winners will be chosen and notified on Saturday, January 29th. Be sure to leave an e-mail address to contact you if it's not enabled in your profile! If I am unable to contact the winner, a new one will be immediately chosen.

Now, if this isn't your thing, no worries! I really want all the giveaways from this week to go to people that really want them so please tell me that you want to be entered in this giveaway in your comment!

Want more chances to win?

One extra entry for each of these that you want to do:

Follow this blog

Link this specific giveaway on your blog

Tweet the following: "@addglitter is giving away a custom cupcake scarf and I want it! Check it out at http://bit.ly/fF36k6"

Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry you qualify for but you only need to leave a comment on this post to be entered once so go for it!

Again, none of the extra things are required, you're automatically entered just for leaving one comment!

Remember, you have until midnight on Friday, January 28th to enter this giveaway and all my giveaways from this week! Thanks for celebrating my 2 year blogoversary with me and good luck to all the entrants! :D

You are welcome to enter any or all of my giveaways this week and this is worldwide so don't be shy! :)

Today I am SO excited to be able to offer one lucky person this GORGEOUS butterfly necklace created by the one and only Theresa of Faerie Moon Creations!

Isn't this fabulous?! There's no rule against the giveaway hostess entering her own giveaways, right? Hmmmm.... ;) I have featured Faerie Moon Creations on my blog before and as an admirer as well as a customer of FMC, I can safely say that all of her pieces are gorgeous, well made and reasonably priced. Theresa also provides excellent customer service, you always have fun buying from her shop!

I just love the amber colored beads and of course the bling-y butterfly is my favorite part! :) This would be beautiful to wear with those Winter sweaters to give your wardrobe a little bit of early Spring! :)

Isn't it pretty in the sun? *sigh* So dreamy...

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this post by Midnight on Friday, January 28th. All winners will be chosen and notified on Saturday, January 29th. Be sure to leave an e-mail address to contact you if it's not enabled in your profile! If I am unable to contact the winner, a new one will be immediately chosen.

Now, if this isn't your thing, no worries! I really want all the giveaways from this week to go to people that really want them so please tell me that you want to be entered in this giveaway in your comment!

Want more chances to win?

One extra entry for each of these that you want to do:

Follow this blog

Link this specific giveaway on your blog

Tweet the following: "@addglitter is giving away a necklace created by @faerymoongodess & I want it! Check it out at http://bit.ly/i5ACdD"

Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry you qualify for but you only need to leave a comment on this post to be entered once so go for it!

Again, none of the extra things are required, you're automatically entered just for leaving one comment!

Remember, you have until midnight on Friday, January 28th to enter this giveaway and all my giveaways from this week! Thanks for celebrating my 2 year blogoversary with me and good luck to all the entrants! :D

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Today is January 19th and it's my official blogoversary! Two years ago today I started this blog and I'm so happy that it's still blogging strong! I'm grateful to all of you that continue to read my blog (and comment!) and I hope this is only the beginning so thank you, thank you, thank you!

You are welcome to enter any or all of my giveaways this week and this is worldwide so don't be shy! :)

Now for today's giveaway...it's brought to you straight from my own crochet hook and I hope you like it. :D Please to enjoy: the Rocket Popsicle Scarf!

I crocheted this super fun scarf based on a pattern in Twinkie Chan's book and I couldn't be happier-it's so fun and full of sugary crafty goodness!

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this post by Midnight on Friday, January 28th. All winners will be chosen and notified on Saturday, January 29th. Be sure to leave an e-mail address to contact you if it's not enabled in your profile! If I am unable to contact the winner, a new one will be immediately chosen.

Now, if this isn't your thing, no worries! I really want all the giveaways from this week to go to people that really want them so please tell me that you want to be entered in this giveaway in your comment!

Want more chances to win?

One extra entry for each of these that you want to do:

Follow this blog

Link this specific giveaway on your blog

Tweet the following: "@addglitter is giving away a rocket popsicle scarf and I want it! Check it out at http://bit.ly/dLD7CF"

Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry you qualify for but you only need to leave a comment on this post to be entered once so go for it!

Again, none of the extra things are required, you're automatically entered just for leaving one comment!

Remember, you have until midnight on Friday, January 28th to enter this giveaway and all my giveaways from this week! Thanks for celebrating my 2 year blogoversary with me and good luck to all the entrants! :D

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Just in case you missed it, my 2 year blogoversary is this week and all week long I'm giving away some awesome prizes to thank you all for being a part of Just Add Glitter and Stir! Yesterday I announced my Crocheted Birdie giveaway so be sure to leave a comment on that post for your chance to win!

You are welcome to enter any or all of my giveaways this week and this is worldwide so don't be shy! :)

She and her 10 year old daughter, K create the cutest embellishments, hair accessories and altered paper bag albums, planners and calendars. Their shop has something for crafty types and for those that want handmade without using their own hands to make it. :) Jacque has created this fabulous paper bag mini album that will find a home with one lucky person who comments on THIS POST by Midnight on Friday, January 28th.

Isn't it darling??? It's all dressed up and ready for your finishing touch! Add some memories and pics and it would make a great Valentine's gift for a special someone in your life!

I have personally used Jacque's embellishments and I just love them! Her prices are oh so reasonable! This album is so glittery...*drool* I would suggest you all get your comments in before I turn to the Dark Side and keep it for myself. LOL

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this post by Midnight on Friday, January 28th. All winners will be chosen and notified on Saturday, January 29th. Be sure to leave an e-mail address to contact you if it's not enabled in your profile! If I am unable to contact the winner, a new one will be immediately chosen.

Now, if this isn't your thing, no worries! I really want all the giveaways from this week to go to people that really want them so please tell me that you want to be entered in this giveaway in your comment!

Want more chances to win?

One extra entry for each of these that you want to do:

Follow this blog

Link this specific giveaway on your blog

Tweet the following: "@addglitter is giving away Jacque's altered mini album and I want it! Check it out at http://bit.ly/hGK8HG"

Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry you qualify for but you only need to leave a comment on this post to be entered once so go for it!

Again, none of the extra things are required, you're automatically entered just for leaving one comment!

Remember, you have until midnight on Friday, January 28th to enter this giveaway and all my giveaways from this week! Thanks for celebrating my 2 year blogoversary with me and good luck to all the entrants! :D

Monday, January 17, 2011

Well well well, here we are! As I've been gently alluding to all last week, this week (Wednesday specifically) marks 2 years of blogging here at Just Add Glitter and Stir and to mark the occasion, I'm having a WEEK of giveaways! You are welcome to enter any or all of my giveaways this week and this is worldwide so don't be shy! :)

Today's giveaway is this a-dorable little crocheted birdie just dying to fly off to be a part of your home. :)

He'd be a great addition to a window, desk, wall or wherever he can find a nest. :P Toot's been on me to give him to her so quick, someone win little birdie before she steals it!!!

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this post by Midnight on Friday, January 28th. All winners will be chosen and notified on Saturday, January 29th. Be sure to leave an e-mail address to contact you if it's not enabled in your profile! If I am unable to contact the winner, a new one will be immediately chosen.

Now, if this isn't your thing, no worries! I really want all the giveaways from this week to go to people that really want them so please tell me that you want to be entered in this giveaway in your comment!

Want more chances to win?

One extra entry for each of these that you want to do:

Follow this blog

Link this specific giveaway on your blog

Tweet the following: "@addglitter is giving away a sweet lil crocheted birdie and I want it! Check it out: http://bit.ly/i3LQmN"

Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry you qualify for but you only need to leave a comment on this post to be entered once so go for it!

Again, none of the extra things are required, you're automatically entered just for leaving one comment!

Remember, you have until midnight on Friday, January 28th to enter this giveaway and all my giveaways from this week! Thanks for celebrating my 2 year blogoversary with me and good luck to all the entrants! :D

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Tomorrow starts my week of giveaways to celebrate my 2 year blogoversary!!! Monday thru Friday there will be a new awesome who-knows-what up for grabs so make sure to come back!

I don't usually post on Sundays but before the crazy week of giveaways start, I wanted to take a minute to tell you how I started this blog and why I continue to blog today.

Beckie from Infarrantly Creative wrote a fantastic series of posts entitled My Blog Story in which she recounts the origin of her blog and how it's grown in its 3 1/2 years. This blog of mine hasn't been around quite as long but with my 2 year blogoversary coming up this Wednesday the 19th, I thought I would post my thoughts on how far this blog has come and why I still blog today.

I started this blog primarily because I had another blog that was strictly about my gaming life and wanted to have a space where I felt more comfortable writing about the everyday. Husband, kid, life in general, etc.

Toot when I first started this blog

Toot now

At about my 5th post in, I showed a few of my scrapbook layouts (being out the scrapping game for years but starting up again once Toot was born).

Believe it or not, I had no idea scrappers used more than just stickers for layouts. Blogging got me wondering if there were any other scrappers out there and wowowowow did I experience an eye opener as I found people using inks, punches and something called "Stickles". I even wrote about it all in this early post, Scrapbooking Counter Culture.

It on that post that I got my very first comment from a "stranger". It was Peggy from Treasured Memories and I left her a comment recently thanking her for leaving that first comment when I started blogging here.

Because basically, I didn't start out writing this blog to get people to read my rambles. I really just wrote it to have a place for me to share my life and myself but once I got someone commenting here and there, I discovered an entire community of people that I could...well, "commune" with through this blog and their blogs.

I wrote my first Friday Night Fab Five post in February 2009 and am proud to say that I've been fairly consistent in keeping that alive. :) I joined a scrapbooking forum Life Preservers Scrapbook Club and met a great group who taught me a lot about scrapbooking and are some of the sweetest ladies around.

So the first part of this blog was really all about scrapbooking for the most part. I've met so many awesome scrap bloggers who I still visit and consider to be my friend. Since then I've started working with mixed media, discovered what the heck an "ATC" was and have learned so many other techniques along the way.

But for me, blogging isn't just about all that. Now that I'm two years in, it's really become more about the community of it all than anything else. I've congratulated you when the good times come rolling in and cried with you when they go rolling out. You've been there for me too, always supportive and willing to laugh at my jokes, no matter how lame. I now enjoy visiting fashion bloggers, designers, mommies, foodies, scrappers, every sort of crafty you can imagine, vintage addicts and people from literally all around the world.

You all have taught me so much and oh how I wish I was infinitely wealthy and could just fly you all out to one place to party it up and meet in person. Everyone needs a place to belong, a place where they feel like they fit in no matter what happens.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Hi everyone and welcome to this week's Friday Night Fab Five where I list 5 things I'm drooling over, love or generally wish was mine...all MINE! This week I'm getting selfish and dreamy eyed, ogling all sorts of precious things that belong with me but sorry to say, are slightly out of my price range. :P

We all have expensive things we dream about (new car, new house, major vacation, etc) but there are those "little things" that don't cost quite a house but still has our budgets making the puke face. ---> :x So this week's Friday Night Fab Five is celebrating those pretty little things that must stay virtual...for now. :D

This fabulous shimmer dust is so sparkly and DREAMY and in this vintage-esque atomizer? Heavenly! I keep getting weird looks from the Sephora chicks though because I run in, shimmer dust the crap outta myself and then look at the bottle with sad puppy dog eyes as I slowly walk away...

Why oh why do I not have gobs of money to plunk down on this beauty??? This is the French Gooseberry Cake diaper bag from Petunia Pickle Bottom and yes, it's so sweet I would love to take a bite out of it! My unborn daughter is screaming for this bag! And I so hate making babies cry...*sniff*

Yeah yeah so this handy dandy little bling setter upper is the most immediately affordable thing in this week's Fab Five but I have yet to get my glitter addicted greedy little hands on it so it makes the list. :P

And there you have it, another Friday Night Fab Five for the ages! Okay, not really but there you go. If you post a Fab Five on your blog, please leave me a link in your comment so I can check it out!

Exception: you do not need to contact me re: pinning my images on Pinterest. You're more than welcome to pin my images but please credit me (Maggi Flynn) and Just Add Glitter and Stir in the description. However, if you're pinning someone else's images that I have used on my blog, please follow the image credit link and pin it from the original source.